By LACHLAN MOORHEAD
CASEY rates and waste charges will increase by an average of 6.3 per cent, outlined in the council’s 2014/15 Draft Budget to be released this week.
The draft budget, which will be released to the public tomorrow (Wednesday), indicates a $239 million operating budget in addition to a $78 million capital works program which will include the commencement of the Edwin Flack Reserve Synthetic Athletics Track in Berwick, the completion of the Selandra Rise Family and Children’s Centre in Clyde North and the re-development of the Cranbourne Basketball Centre.
Casey mayor Geoff Ablett said this week that the construction of the new Casey Cultural Precinct had not impacted on the rate increase.
“Some residents have asked whether their rates have increased as a result of the construction of the new cultural precinct; this is not the case,” he said.
“Through many years of responsible financial management, the council can finance the construction of the Casey Cultural Precinct without an increase to rates using a combination of savings, a loan and external funding to fund the project.”
Residents will be invited to have their say on the draft budget at http://caseyconversations.com.au/
For all the details on the council’s draft budget, see Thursday’s News.
